Talking Gourds: Benny Manibog Wins Cantor Poetry Prize!

12 Nov Talking Gourds: Benny Manibog Wins Cantor Poetry Prize!

The Telluride Institute’s Talking Gourds Poetry Program is proud to announce the winner of the 7th Annual Cantor Prize for Poetry: Benny Manibog of Denver for his poem, “Honeycombs.”

For more information on the Talking Gourds Poetry Program and its national Fischer and Cantor poetry contests, visit tellurideinstitute.org/talking-gourds

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Image, Courtesy Talking Gourds.

“A hauntingly quiet poem that speaks of hunger and the history of a complicated Colorado geography,” explained Judge Juan Morales.

This year 68 poets submitted 320 poems to the Cantor contest. In addition to the first place $1000 prize, the contest features five $100 Outstanding Finalist prizes, plus four Honorable Mentions. Poems, photos of poets and bios can be accessed at https://www.tellurideinstitute.org/2024-fischer-cantor-prize-winning-poems/

The five Outstanding Finalists for the 2024 Cantor Prize are Erica Reid of Fort Collins with “The Joy of Flying Paper Airplanes”; Ginger Ayla of Trinidad with “Self-Portrait as Burn Out”; Marissa Grunes of Boulder with “Erosion”; Carol Guerrero-Murphy of Denver with “Imperatives”; and Kathryn Jordan of California with “Fire Lookout.”

The four Honorable Mentions include Kelly Vande Plasse of Fort Collins with two poems: “One Snake” and “Singing Stone”; Everett Wilson of Crestone with “Peeling Grapefruit”; and Matthew Wimberley of North Carolina with “Self-Portrait with Magpie.”

The Cantor Prize is awarded annually to poets from Colorado on any subject or English-language poets from anywhere writing about Colorado. Past Cantor winners include Jane Hilberry of Colorado Springs,; Renee Podunovich of Dolores; Mark Oreskovich of Pueblo; Madison Gill Silva of Montrose; Wendy Videlock of Palisade; and Jacob Sheetz-Willard of Leadville.

“Our national poetry contests are the primary way poets can help us support the many poetry projects we do on Colorado’s Western Slope,” said Talking Gourd Director Art Goodtimes, “with the bonus that one might also win a prize. Additionally, we offer feedback on submissions, if desired.”